HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Seahawks, Marshawn Lynch’s Agent ‘In Talks’ About New Deal

May 5th, 2020 at 8:33am CST by Ben Levine

It sounds like Marshawn Lynch could stick around for another season. The veteran running back told ESPN that his agent has been in contact with the Seahawks.

“Well, it’s almost on that expect the unexpected,” Lynch said (via Curtis Crabtree of ProFootballTalk.com). “But just as far as right now, what I do know is, (I’m gonna) keep it solid. My agent has been in talks with Seattle, so like I said, we’ll see what happens. If it works out and I get back up there, it is what it is.”

Following two seasons with the Raiders, Lynch returned to Seattle towards the end of last season. Thanks to the Seahawks’ depleted running back corps, the 34-year-old had an opportunity to play, and he collected four touchdowns on 30 carries in three games (including two postseason contests).

Following that performance (which also included an unsightly 2.23 yards-per-carry), Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll hinted that Lynch could return in 2020.

“We’ll see. Never say never,” Carroll said in February. “I’m not going to rush him back to offseason, that’s for sure. That’s never been one of his strengths.”

The Seahawks are currently rostering six running backs, but only three of them have any NFL experience. Chris Carson is expected to be ready for the regular season, but Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times notes that former first-rounder Rashaad Penny may have to start training camp on the PUP.

Besides Carson, Penny, and 2019 sixth-rounder Travis Homer, the Seahawks are rostering three rookies, including fourth-rounder DeeJay Dallas.

Latest On Marcus Maye, Jets

May 4th, 2020 at 7:57pm CST by Ben Levine

Earlier today, we heard that the Jets had previously discussed potential trades for safety Marcus Maye. However, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com is disputing those reports. Multiple sources tell PFT that the Jets have never shopped the 27-year-old, with one source describing it as “beyond take news.”

As Florio notes, context is important. Teams have previously expressed interest in Mayes, and one team is currently eyeing the defensive back. However, just because the Jets are answering the phone, it doesn’t mean the organization is shopping the player.

In fact, Florio wonders if a potential suitor may have been the source of the previous report in hopes it’d “poision” the relationship between the organization and Maye. Instead, it sounds like the Jets “haven’t, aren’t, and won’t be shopping” their starting safety.

The 2017 second-round pick has started all 38 of his career games. Maye rebounded from an injury-plagued 2018 campaign, starting all 16 games in 2019. He compiled 65 tackles, seven passes defended, and one interception. The safety is entering the final season of his rookie contract.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/4/20

May 4th, 2020 at 6:49pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Wells is returning to Tampa Bay on a one-year deal, according to Greg Auman of The Athletic (Twitter link). Wells spent the 2019 campaign with the Bucs, starting two of his 13 games. He previously spent five seasons with the Jaguars, appearing in 39 games (nine starts).

Murphy had a solid run with the Bills back in 2018, rushing for 250 yards on 52 carries. After getting cut by Buffalo prior to the 2019 regular season, Murphy didn’t find a deal until inking a futures contract with the Panthers in December.

McNichols, a 2017 fifth-round pick, has four career carries. He’s spent time with seven organizations during his career.

Buccaneers Sign 13 UDFAs

May 4th, 2020 at 5:39pm CST by Ben Levine

After adding seven rookies via the 2020 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers announced the signing of nine undrafted free agents today:

Sinnett is naturally one of the most notable name on the list, as the quarterback guided the University of San Diego to the FCS playoffs after tossing 3,528 yards and 32 touchdowns. While he’s unlikely to crack a roster that includes Tom Brady, Blaine Gabbert, and Ryan Griffin, it sounds like the Bucs want to hang on to a developmental QB on their practice squad.

Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle previously reported (via Twitter) that Sinnett will earn $152K in guaranteed money.

Jonsen proved to be a Swiss Army Knife during his time at Montana State, as he finished the 2019 campaign with 580 receiving yards and 527 rushing yards. He also completed six of his seven pass attempts for 64 yards and one score.

UPDATE

The Bucs announced the signing of four additional UDFAs:

  • John Hurst, WR (West Georgia)
  • Nick Leverett, G (Rice)
  • Parnell Motley, CB (Oklahoma)
  • Josh Pearson, WR (Jacksonville State)

Titans Add Monti Ossenfort As Director Of Player Personnel

May 4th, 2020 at 5:05pm CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots’ organizational makeover doesn’t only apply to their roster. Albert Breer reports (via Twitter) that New England’s college scouting director, Monti Ossenfort, has been hired as the Titans’ new director of player personnel.

Ossenfort has been in contention for several GM gigs over the past few years, and he interviewed with the Browns this offseason. The Patriots blocked him from joining the Texans in 2018, and New England wouldn’t let Ossenfort or Nick Caserio head to Houston (following Brian Gaine‘s dismissal) in 2019.

While Caserio’s expiring contract was extended in February, it seemed that Ossenfort was inevitably going to switch teams. His contract was set to expire this month.

Ossenfort had held his role as college scouting director since 2014, and he had been with the organization since the early-2000s. As Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com points out, the executive is already familiar with Titans general manager Jon Robinson, who spent almost a decade in New England. Ossenfort was also working for the Patriots during Mike Vrabel‘s playing days.

Seahawks Sign 12 More UDFAs

May 4th, 2020 at 3:58pm CST by Zachary Links

The Seahawks can’t get enough undrafted rookies. On Monday, the Seahawks waived running back Adam Choice, linebacker Pita Taumoepenu, and defensive tackles Naz Jones and Shakir Soto to make room for a dozen undrafted free agents:

Those players will join a UDFA class that already includes:

Gordon, the successor to Gardner Minshew at Washington State, threw for an absurd 5,579 yards and 48 touchdowns in just 13 games. On the heels of a truly ridiculous year, he’ll push to serve as Russell Wilson‘s top backup.

Jets Discussed Marcus Maye Trade

May 4th, 2020 at 3:22pm CST by Zachary Links

Jamal Adams isn’t the only Jets safety that’s come up in trade talks. Over the past year, the Jets have also discussed potential trades involving Marcus Maye, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News hears. 

[RELATED: Adam Gase Voiced Frustrations About Le’Veon Bell]

Maye, selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft after Adams in the first, has started in all 38 of his games for the Jets. He missed ten games in 2018 with a broken thumb, though that was sandwiched by two years of perfect attendance.

Maye has come up in trade talks before. Last year, several teams reportedly called on him before the deadline, only to be told that he is not available. Now, GM Joe Douglas seems more willing to listen after selecting safety Ashtyn Davis in the third round.

Maye, 27, finished out the year with 65 tackles, one interception, and seven passes defensed. The Jets could fetch a decent haul for the free safety, but they’ve also got plenty of reasons to hang on to him. The biggest reason, perhaps, is the continued uncertainty surrounding Adams. The Jets picked up his fifth-year option – a no-brainer move – but Adams continues to push for a record-breaking contract that could be too rich for their blood. If the Jets wind up trading Adams, they’ll want to have someone like Maye to hold down the secondary.

The University of Florida product is set to make just $1.4MM in 2020, the final year of his contract. As Mehta notes, he’d likely be a first-round pick if the 2017 NFL Draft was re-done today. It’s hard to argue with that, especially after 13 of those players had their 2021 options turned down prior to today’s deadline.

These 2017 NFL Draft First-Round Picks Had Their Options Declined

May 4th, 2020 at 2:43pm CST by Zachary Links

After much deliberation, the Colts declined Malik Hooker’s fifth-year option on Monday afternoon. With that, every verdict has been rendered on the first-round picks in the 2017 NFL Draft class. Out of the top 32 picks, 13 of them are now ticketed for free agency after the 2020 season.

Here’s the full breakdown:

Declined (13):

Exercised (17)

Extended (1)

Released (1)

Colts To Decline Malik Hooker’s Option

May 4th, 2020 at 2:14pm CST by Zachary Links

The Colts will decline the fifth-year option on Malik Hooker‘s contract, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated (on Twitter). With that, Hooker is set to be a free agent following the 2020 season. 

It’s a surprising decision – Hooker has seven career interceptions in just 34 games played and his would-be 2021 salary wasn’t prohibitive. Hooker, who was the No. 15 overall pick in the 2017 draft, would have cost $6.7MM to cuff for ’21, and that sum would have been guaranteed for injury only.

After Haason Reddick‘s option was (predictably) declined by the Cardinals, Hooker was left standing as the only 2017 first-round pick in limbo. The Colts waited right until the deadline to render their verdict and it’s a puzzling one. To be fair: Hooker has been hampered by injuries over the years. To be critical, again: He still offers tons of potential and he might just price himself out of Indianapolis with a big prove-it year.

Hooker likely would have been a Top 10 pick three years ago if not for injuries. With concerns about his surgically-repaired sports hernia and a torn labrum, the Colts landed him in the middle of the first round. And, as a rookie, he missed more than half of the season with a torn ACL. He hasn’t met all of his combine week expectations as a pro, but he still has time on his side. The Ohio State product just turned 24 in April and there are plenty of teams who would be happy to have him when he turns 25.

For now, the Colts’ safety group includes Hooker, rising sophomore Khari Willis, third-round pick Julian Blackmon, George Odum, and Rolan Milligan. Of that group, only Willis is under contract beyond ’20.

Free Agent Stock Watch: Eric Reid

May 4th, 2020 at 1:15pm CST by Zachary Links

It’s the first week of May and several notable NFL names are still floating in free agency. That list includes edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, quarterback and one-time MVP Cam Newton, the once unstoppable Devonta Freeman, and a well-accomplished safety on the right side of 30 in Eric Reid. 

[RELATED: Three Years Ago Today, The Panthers Signed Christian McCaffrey To His Rookie Deal]

It’s familiar territory for the 28-year-old, who waited all the way until September to find his home for 2018. In that offseason, Reid was coming off of yet another solid campaign as a starter for the 49ers. He was also viewed as controversial by some, thanks to his friendship and partnerships with Colin Kaepernick. Teams say otherwise, but the national anthem protests surely hampered Reid’s market. But, in the interest of equal time, it’s worth noting that other standout safeties – guys like Tre Boston, Tyvon Branch, Ron Parker, and Kenny Vaccaro – were also left waiting by the phone that year.

This time around, Reid still offers plenty of upside, though his platform year wasn’t as strong. His new career-high of 130 tackles – including four sacks – seems solid, but a deeper glance shows a few cracks. Pro Football Focus, for example, wasn’t fond of his work, which saw more than 77% of throws completed in his vicinity. After the season, the Panthers released Reid from the remaining year on his contract.

What’s next for Reid? There are several teams that make sense, but also far fewer clubs that are in desperate need of safety help post-draft. His younger brother, Justin Reid, is making a strong case for him to join up with the Texans. After releasing Tashaun Gipson last week, Reid would profile as a major upgrade to an underperforming secondary. The Cowboys, Raiders, and other contenders should also take a good look at him, especially since he can probably be had on a low-cost one-year deal. With that, and a strong season, Reid could be in position to cash in as a free agent next year – hopefully, in March this time.

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